Sign assembly

ABSTRACT

A sign assembly comprising, a frame having a front surface, a rear surface, a pair of spaced side members and a pair of spaced end members connecting the side members. The side and end members define an opening extending through the frame, with at least one of the side members being made from a flexible material. The sign assembly has a transparent viewing member received in the frame adjacent the front surface, such that the viewing member covers the frame opening. The viewing member is unattached to the one side member in at least the central portion of the side member. The sign assembly also has a backing plate removably received in and covering a rear portion of the frame. The assembly has tab means co-operating between the one side member and the frame. The one side member may be flexed away from the viewing member to permit passage of the backing plate beneath the one side member for removing and inserting the backing plate, and the tab means retains the backing plate in the frame when the one side member is released.

[ Nov. 11, 1975 1 SIGN ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Robert E. Vogele, WesternSprings,

Ill.

'[73] Assignee: Environmental Graphic Systems,

[63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 451,182, March 14,

1974, abandoned.

[52] U.S. C1. 40/156; 40/125 F; 40/152.1 [51] Int. Ch G09F 01/12 [58]Field of Search 40/156, 152.1, 152, 135, 40/201, 202,125 R, 125 A,125 H,125 F, 10 R, 10 B, 17, 18

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,713,226 7/1955 Murff40/156 3,408,759 1 H1968 Rotheraine et a1. 40/152 3,411,226 11/1968Ericsson 40/156 X 3,681,867 8/1972 Bi1odeau.... 40/152.1

3,711,978 l/l973 Conrad 40/152 3,745,680 Faust 40/156 PrimaryE.\'aminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant E.\'aminerJohn F. Pitrelli ABSTRACTA sign assembly comprising, a frame having a front surface, a rearsurface, a pair of spaced side members and a pair of spaced end membersconnecting the side members. The side and end members define an openingextending through the frame, with at least one of the side members beingmade from a flexible material. The sign assembly has a transparentviewing member received in the frame adjacent the front surface, suchthat the viewing member covers the frame opening. The viewing member isunattached to the one side member in at least the central portion of theside member. The sign assembly also has a backing plate removablyreceived in and covering a rear portion of the frame. The assembly hastab means co-operating between the one side member and the frame. Theone side member may be flexed away from the viewing member to permitpassage of the backing plate beneath the one side member for removingand inserting the backing plate, and the tab means retains the backingplate in the frame when the one side member is released.

6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 2 of23,918,187

ull

4a a a gma fif m A I I I SIGN ASSEMBLY CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION The present application is a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 451,182, filed Mar. 14, 1974, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to signs, and more par ticularly to sign assemblies.

2. Description of the Prior Art The use of plates for identificationpurposes is well known. For example, name plates are often utilized toidentify an individuals office in a building. Such plates are mostusually made by stamping the individuals name into a plastic plate.Although these plates have served their intended purpose of identifyingthe individuals office, they have not always proven satisfactory forother reasons.

Initially, it is apparent that separate name plates must be speciallyordered according to each individuals name. It has been found that,depending upon the supplier of the plates, a delay of from 6 to 8 weeksmay usually be encountered to obtain a name plate. Accordingly, themanagers of office buildings receive frequent complaints from tenantsdue to such delays, and have viewed such plates with disfavor for thisreason alone. Moreover, if an individual moves from one office toanother location in the same building, the plate must be removed from awall or other object and repositioned at another office. If theindividual terminates employment with a company or otherwise quits abuilding altogether, such plates must be discarded since they have beenspecially made for the individual. Finally, such plates have definitelimitations as to their aesthetic appeal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal feature of the present invention isthe provision of a sign assembly providing the capability of a readychange of identification.

The sign assembly of the present invention comprises a frame having afront surface, a rear surface, a pair of spaced side members and a pairof spaced end members connecting the side members. The side and endmembers define an opening extending through the frame, with at least oneof the side members being made of a flexible material. The assembly hastab means co-operating between the one side member and the frame. Theframe has a transparent viewing member received in the frame adjacentthe front surface, such that the viewing member covers the frame openingand is unattached to the one side member in at least its centralportion. The sign assembly also has a backing plate removably receivedin and covering a rear portion of the frame.

A feature of the present invention is that the one side member may beflexed away from the viewing member to permit passage of the backingplate beneath the one side member for removing and inserting the backingplate.

Another feature of the invention is that the tab means retains thebacking plate in the frame when the one side member is released.

Another feature of the invention is that an indiciacontaining insert maybe received between the viewing member and backing plate.

Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of tab meansco-operating between the other of the side members and the backing platefor retaining the backing plate in the frame.

Further features will become more fully apparent in the followingdescription of the embodiments of this invention and from the appendedclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sign assembly of the present inventionas secured to a block for placement on an individuals desk;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sign assembly of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a back elevational view of the sign assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially as indicated along theline 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a back elevational view of the sign assembly of FIG. 2 showinga side member being flex'ed preparatory to removal of a frame from abacking plate;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the sign assembly showing the frame beingremoved from the backing plate;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an identification card for the sign assembly ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a back elevational view of another embodiment of the signassembly of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially as indicated along theline 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and4, there is shown a sign assembly generally designated 10, having aframe 12, a backing plate 14, and insert 16 containing indicia I. Theframe 12 is made from a flexible material, such as plastic, and has afront surface 18 and rear surface 20. The frame 12 also has an elongatedspaced pair of side members 22a and 22b and a pair of end members 24aand 24b connecting the side members 22a and b. The side and end members22a and b and 24a and b define an opening 26 extending through the frame12. One of the side members 22a has a depending tab 28 adjacent the rearsurface 20, and the other side member 22b has an upstanding pair ofspaced tabs or tab means 30a and 30b adjacent the rear surface 20, forpurposes which will be described below.

A viewing member 32 is received in the frame 12 adjacent the frontsurface 18. The viewing member 32 has flange means 34 extending aroundits periphery and which is located adjacent the inner surfaces of theside and end members, such that the viewing member extends between theside and end members and covers the opening 26. The viewing member ismade of a transparent material, such as an acrylic, in order that theindicia I on insert 16 may be seen through the viewing member. Theflange means 34 is secured to the end members 24a and b and the otherside member 22b, such as by adhesive or sonic welding. The flange means34 is unattached to the one side member 22a, in order that the one sidemember may be flexed from the viewing member 32, as shown in FIGS. 5 and6, for purposes described below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the backing plate 14 has a sizesufficient that the backing plate extends between the inner surfaces ofthe side members 22a and b and end members 24a and b when the backingplate 14 is received in the frame 12. The backing plate 14 has a pair ofside flanges 36 and end flanges 38 adjacent its periphery, such that theside and end flanges 36 and 38 abut against the inner surface of theviewing member 32 when the backing plate 14 is positioned in the frame12. In this configuration, the backing plate 14 and viewing member 32define a relatively thin cavity 40 to retain the insert 16 in placebetween the backing plate 14 and viewing member 32.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of elongated slats 42 aresecured to the rear surface of the backing plate 14. The slats 42 haveadhesive 44 on their outer surfaces which are covered by a pair ofrelease sheets 46. The release sheets 46 are removed from the slats 42to expose the adhesive 44 and permit securement of the backing plate 14to an object, such as a wall W, as shown in FIG. 6. However, it isreadily apparent that the use of adhesive to secure the backing plateand sign assembly to an object is for convenience only, and othersuitable securement means, such as clips, may be provided for thispurpose.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the backing plate 14 isreceived in the frame 12, the upper tab 28 and lower tabs 30a and bengage the rear surface of the backing plate 14 and retain the backingplate in the frame. When it is desired to place an insert 16 in the signassembly 10, or change inserts 16, the one side member 22a is flexedaway from the backing plate 14 and viewing member 32, as indicated bythe direction of arrows in FIGS. and 6, to permit passage of the backingplate 14 beneath the upper tab 28. In this con figuration, the frame 12may be swung away from the backing plate 14, as indicated by thedirection of the arrow in FIG. 6, until the tab 28 clears the backingplate 14, and the lower tabs 30a and b may be disengaged from the lowerpart of the backing plate to remove the frame 12 from the backing plate14. The desired insert 16 is then placed between the side and endflanges 36 and 38 of the backing plate 14, and the procedure is reversedto secure the frame to the backing plate. Thus, the lower tabs 30a and bof the frame 12 are engaged against the rear surface of the backingplate, the one side member 22a is flexed away from the viewing member32, the frame 12 is swung toward the backing plate 14 until the uppertab 28 clears the backing plate, and the one side member 22a isreleased, such that the tab 28 engages the rear surface of the backingplate 14 and retains the frame on the backing plate.

It will be readily apparent that the sign assembly of the presentinvention provides for great flexibility of convenient identification.For example, a backing insert 50 may be positioned between thetransparent insert l6 and the backing plate 14, as illustrated in FIG.2. The backing insert 50 may have any suitable color as a contrast inbackground for the indicia I on the insert l6, and may contain a designd or other identification information. Accordingly, the color and designon the backing insert 50 may be utilized not only for aesthetic appeal,it may provide the viewer with information, such as a company color andlogo, if desired. Alternatively, an opaque insert 52, as shown in FIG.7, may be utilized in lieu of the inserts l6 and 50. The insert 52 mayhave indicia I and any suitable background color and design, as desired.

Another embodiment of the sign assembly of the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, in which like reference numerals designatelike parts. In this embodiment, the one side member 22a has a centrallylocated slot 60 in its inner surface facing the other side member 22b.The backing plate 14 has an associated outwardly extending tab 62 whichis received in the slot 60 to releasably retain the backing plate in theframe 12. The other side member 22b has a plurality of, and preferablythree, spaced slots 64a, 64b, and 640 in its inner surface facing theone side member 22a. The backing plate 14 has a plurality of associatedoutwardly extending tabs 66a, 66b, and 66c which are receivable in theslots 640, b and c to retain the lower portion of the backing plate inthe frame 12. In other respects, the operation of the sign assembly ofFIGS. 8 and 9 is similar to the sign assembly described in connectionwith FIGS. 17.

Not only does the sign assembly of the present invention provide for awide capability of identification, it is readily apparent that changesin identification may be made in a simplified and expeditious manner.Once the sign assembly has been secured to a desired object at a givenlocation, it would no longer be necessary to move the assembly, sinceits identification inserts may be easily changed. For example, if thesign assembly is utilized to identify an individuals office, and theindividual changes offices, a new insert may be utilized to identify thenew individual who occupies the vacated office. The identificationinserts for the offices may be conveniently made by personnel owning thebuilding or by company personnel, and, accordingly, may be changedwithout incurring a significant delay. Moreover, it may be desired toperiodically change the backing insert 50 to provide different colors ordesigns, or the indicia on the inserts may be readily modified toindicate a change of position for an individual.

It is also apparent that the sign assembly of the present invention maybe constructed in a variety of shapes and may be utilized for a widevariety of purposes. For example, relatively larger sign assemblies maybe placed on the walls of a building to provide visitors withdirectional information. As another example, the sign assembly 10 may besecured to a block B for placement of the sign assembly on a surface S,such as a desk, as shown in FIG. 1. Other uses of the sign assembly aremultitude in scope, as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Thus, the foregoing detailed description is given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A sign assembly comprising:

a frame having a front surface, a rear surface, a pair of spaced sidemembers and a pair of spaced end members connecting said side members,said side and end members defining an opening extending through theframe, at least one of said side members being made of a flexiblematerial;

a transparent viewing member received in the frame adjacent said frontsurface, said viewing member covering the frame opening and beingunattached to said one side member in at least the central portion ofthe side member, said viewing member having a flange extending aroundits periphery and being located adjacent inner surfaces of the otherside member and end members;

a backing plate removably received in and covering a rear portion ofsaid frame, said backing plate having a pair of side flanges and endflanges, said side and end flanges abutting against the inner surface ofsaid viewing member when said backing plate is positioned in the frame;

a pair of elongated slats disposed on a rear surface of said backingplate having means for securing said backing plate to an object fordisplay; and

tab means comprising a tab on the one side member adjacent its rearsurface extending toward the other of said side members, and a pluralityof spaced tabs on the other of said side members adjacent the rearsurface of the frame extending toward the one side member, said one sidemember being flexed away from the viewing member to permit passage ofthe backing plate beneath said one side member for removing andinserting the backing plate, said tab means retaining the backing platein the frame when the one side member is released.

2. The assembly of claim 1 including an indiciacontaining insertreceivable between said viewing member and backing plate.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said insert is made from atransparent material.

4. The assembly of claim 3 including a backing insert receivable betweenthe transparent insert and the backing plate.

5. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said insert is made from an opaquematerial.

6. A sign assembly comprising:

a frame having a front surface, a rear surface, a pair of spaced sidemembers and a pair of spaced end members connecting said side members,said side and end members defining an opening extending through theframe, at least one of said side members being made of a flexiblematerial;

' said one side member having a slot on its inner surface facing theother of said side members, said other of said side members having aplurality of spaced slots on its inner surface facing the one sidemember;

a transparent viewing member received in the frame adjacent said frontsurface, said viewing member covering the frame opening and beingunattached to said one side member in at least the central portion ofthe side member, said viewing member having a flange extending aroundits periphery and being located adjacent inner surfaces of the otherside member and end members;

backing plate removable received in and covering a rear portion of saidframe, said backing plate having a pair of side flanges and end flanges,said side and end flanges abutting against the inner surface of saidviewing member when said backing plate is positioned in the frame;

a pair of elongated slats disposed on a rear surface of said backingplate having means for securing said backing plate to an object fordisplay; and

tab means comprising a tab extending outwardly from a top portion ofsaid backing plate which is receivable in the slot on said one sidemember, and a plurality of tabs extending outwardly from a lower portionof said backing plate which are receivable in the slots in the other ofsaid side members, said one side member being flexed away from theviewing member to permit passage of the backing plate beneath said oneside member for removing and inserting the backing plate, said tab meansretaining the backing plate in the frame when one side member isreleased.

1. A sign assembly comprising: a frame having a front surface, a rearsurface, a pair of spaced side members and a pair of spaced end membersconnecting said side members, said side and end members defining anopening extending through the frame, at least one of said side membersbeing made of a flexible material; a transparent viewing member receivedin the frame adjacent said front surface, said viewing member coveringthe frame opening and being unattached to said one side member in atleast the central portion of the side member, said viewing member havinga flange extending around its periphery and being located adjacent innersurfaces of the other side member and end members; a backing plateremovably received in and covering a rear portion of said frame, saidbacking plate having a pair of side flanges and end flanges, said sideand end flanges abutting against the inner surface of said viewingmember when said backing plate is positioned in the frame; a pair ofelongated slats disposed on a rear surface of said backing plate havingmeans for securing said backing plate to an object for display; and tabmeans comprising a tab on the one side member adjacent its rear surfaceextending toward the other of said side members, and a plurality ofspaced tabs on the other of said side members adjacent the rear surfaceof the frame extending toward the one side member, said one side memberbeing flexed away from the viewing member to permit passage of thebacking plaTe beneath said one side member for removing and insertingthe backing plate, said tab means retaining the backing plate in theframe when the one side member is released.
 2. The assembly of claim 1including an indiciacontaining insert receivable between said viewingmember and backing plate.
 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said insertis made from a transparent material.
 4. The assembly of claim 3including a backing insert receivable between the transparent insert andthe backing plate.
 5. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said insert ismade from an opaque material.
 6. A sign assembly comprising: a framehaving a front surface, a rear surface, a pair of spaced side membersand a pair of spaced end members connecting said side members, said sideand end members defining an opening extending through the frame, atleast one of said side members being made of a flexible material; saidone side member having a slot on its inner surface facing the other ofsaid side members, said other of said side members having a plurality ofspaced slots on its inner surface facing the one side member; atransparent viewing member received in the frame adjacent said frontsurface, said viewing member covering the frame opening and beingunattached to said one side member in at least the central portion ofthe side member, said viewing member having a flange extending aroundits periphery and being located adjacent inner surfaces of the otherside member and end members; a backing plate removable received in andcovering a rear portion of said frame, said backing plate having a pairof side flanges and end flanges, said side and end flanges abuttingagainst the inner surface of said viewing member when said backing plateis positioned in the frame; a pair of elongated slats disposed on a rearsurface of said backing plate having means for securing said backingplate to an object for display; and tab means comprising a tab extendingoutwardly from a top portion of said backing plate which is receivablein the slot on said one side member, and a plurality of tabs extendingoutwardly from a lower portion of said backing plate which arereceivable in the slots in the other of said side members, said one sidemember being flexed away from the viewing member to permit passage ofthe backing plate beneath said one side member for removing andinserting the backing plate, said tab means retaining the backing platein the frame when one side member is released.